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{{use mdy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{use mdy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox organization
{{Infobox organization
| name = Judicial Crisis Network
| name = Judicial Crisis Network
| successor = The 85 Fund; Concord Fund
| formation ={{start date|2005}}
| formation = {{start date|2020}}
| type = [[501(c)(4)]]
| location = [[Washington, D.C.]]
| type = [[501(c)(4)]]
| coords = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LON|display=inline,title}} -->
| location = [[Washington, D.C.]]
| coords = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LON|display=inline,title}} -->
| leader_name = Carrie Severino
| leader_name = Carrie Severino
⚫
| website = {{official URL}}
| board_of_directors = Gary Marx, Daniel Casey
⚫
| formerly = Judicial Confirmation Network
| expenses = $37,177,415 (with JEP)
| expenses_year = 2016
⚫
| website = {{official URL}}
⚫
| formerly = Judicial Confirmation Network
}}
}}


The '''Judicial Crisis Network (JCN)''', formerly known as '''Judicial Confirmation Network''', is an American conservative [[activist]] political campaign organization based in the United States. {{As of|2014}}, it has been run by Carrie Severino, a former [[law clerk]] for Supreme Court justice [[Clarence Thomas]].<ref name=politico>{{cite news|last1=Haberman|first1=Maggie|title=Conservative judicial group to hammer Chris Christie|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/07/conservative-judicial-group-to-hammer-chris-christie-108907.html |publisher=Politico |date=July 15, 2014 |accessdate=February 14, 2017}}</ref> The organization describes itself as "dedicated to strengthening liberty and justice in America"<ref>{{cite web|title=About the Judicial Crisis Network|url=http://www.judicialnetwork.com/about-jcn/|publisher=Judicial Crisis Network|accessdate=March 10, 2015}}</ref> and supports conservative appointments to American judicial posts.
The '''Judicial Crisis Network (JCN)''', formerly known as '''Judicial Confirmation Network''' (since December 2019 legally known as the '''Concord Fund''') is a Washington, D.C.-based tax-exempt charity that serves as the hub of a well-funded [[Conservatism|politically conservative]] "[[dark money]]" network.<ref>{{Cite web|last=NW|first=The Center for Responsive Politics 1300 L. St|last2=Washington|first2=Suite 200|last3=info|first3=DC 20005 telelphone857-0044|date=2020-05-27|title=Conservative 'dark money' network rebranded to push voting restrictions before 2020 election|url=https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2020/05/conservative-dark-money-network-voting-restrict/|access-date=2020-10-24|website=OpenSecrets News|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Treene|first=Jonathan Swan,Alayna|title=Leonard Leo to shape new conservative network, step aside from the Federalist Society|url=https://www.axios.com/leonard-leo-crc-advisors-federalist-society-50d4d844-19a3-4eab-af2b-7b74f1617d1c.html|access-date=2020-10-24|website=Axios|language=en}}</ref> It was founded in 2005 by the right-wing activist and fundraiser Ann Corkery and is closely associated with [[Leonard Leo]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=NW|first=The Center for Responsive Politics 1300 L. St|last2=Washington|first2=Suite 200|last3=info|first3=DC 20005 telelphone857-0044|date=2015-03-23|title=The JCN Story: Building a Secretive GOP Judicial Machine|url=https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2015/03/the-jcn-story-building-a-secretive-gop-judicial-machine/|access-date=2020-10-26|website=OpenSecrets News|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=O'Harrow Jr.|first=Robert|last2=Boburg Shawn|date=May 21, 2019|title=A Conservative Activist's Behind-The-Scenes Campaign to Remake the Nation's Courts|work=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/investigations/leonard-leo-federalists-society-courts/|url-status=live|access-date=}}</ref> The current President is Carrie Severino, a former [[law clerk]] for Supreme Court justice [[Clarence Thomas]].<ref name=politico>{{cite news|last1=Haberman|first1=Maggie|title=Conservative judicial group to hammer Chris Christie|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/07/conservative-judicial-group-to-hammer-chris-christie-108907.html |publisher=Politico |date=July 15, 2014 |accessdate=February 14, 2017}}</ref> The organization describes itself as "dedicated to strengthening liberty and justice in America"<ref>{{cite web|title=About the Judicial Crisis Network|url=http://www.judicialnetwork.com/about-jcn/|publisher=Judicial Crisis Network|accessdate=March 10, 2015}}</ref> and supports conservative appointments to American judicial posts. The [[Judicial Education Project]], now called The 85 Fund, is closely aligned with the JCN.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last1=Levine|first1=Sam|last2=Massoglia|first2=Anna|date=May 27, 2020|title=Revealed: conservative group fighting to restrict voting tied to powerful dark money network|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/27/honest-elections-project-conservative-voting-restrictions|accessdate=June 15, 2020|via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=NW|first=The Center for Responsive Politics 1300 L. St|last2=Washington|first2=Suite 200|last3=info|first3=DC 20005 telelphone857-0044|date=2020-05-27|title=Conservative 'dark money' network rebranded to push voting restrictions before 2020 election|url=https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2020/05/conservative-dark-money-network-voting-restrict/|access-date=2020-10-24|website=OpenSecrets News|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Treene|first=Jonathan Swan,Alayna|title=Leonard Leo to shape new conservative network, step aside from the Federalist Society|url=https://www.axios.com/leonard-leo-crc-advisors-federalist-society-50d4d844-19a3-4eab-af2b-7b74f1617d1c.html|access-date=2020-10-24|website=Axios|language=en}}</ref>


==Background==
==Background==
The organization was founded in 2005 to promote the judicial appointees of then president [[George W. Bush]].<ref name=bttbtscs>{{cite news |last1=Michaelson |first1=Jay |date=March 29, 2016 |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/03/29/billionaires-try-to-buy-the-supreme-court.html |title=Billionaires Try to Buy the Supreme Court |work=[[The Daily Beast]] |accessdate=March 29, 2016 }}</ref> Fundraiser and lawyer Ann Corkery, along with California real estate magnate Robin Arkley II, were key to the beginning of the organization.<ref name=tjcns>{{cite web | last1=Novak |first1=Viveca |last2=Stone |first2=Peter |date=March 23, 2015 |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2015/03/the-jcn-story-building-a-secretive-gop-judicial-machine/ |title=The JCN Story: Building a Secretive GOP Judicial Machine |work=[[OpenSecrets.org]] |publisher=[[Center for Responsive Politics]] | accessdate=March 29, 2016}}</ref>
The organization was founded in 2005 to promote the judicial appointees of then president [[George W. Bush]].<ref name=bttbtscs>{{cite news |last1=Michaelson |first1=Jay |date=March 29, 2016 |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/03/29/billionaires-try-to-buy-the-supreme-court.html |title=Billionaires Try to Buy the Supreme Court |work=[[The Daily Beast]] |accessdate=March 29, 2016 }}</ref> Fundraiser and lawyer Ann Corkery, along with California real estate magnate Robin Arkley II, were key to the beginning of the organization.<ref name=tjcns>{{cite web | last1=Novak |first1=Viveca |last2=Stone |first2=Peter |date=March 23, 2015 |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2015/03/the-jcn-story-building-a-secretive-gop-judicial-machine/ |title=The JCN Story: Building a Secretive GOP Judicial Machine |work=[[OpenSecrets.org]] |publisher=[[Center for Responsive Politics]] | accessdate=March 29, 2016}}</ref> The JCN is closely affiliated with [[Leonard Leo]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Michaelson|first=Jay|date=2018-07-09|title=The Secretive Puppetmaster Behind Trump’s Supreme Court Pick|language=en|work=The Daily Beast|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-secrets-of-leonard-leo-the-man-behind-trumps-supreme-court-pick|access-date=2020-10-24}}</ref>


The current leader is Carrie Severino.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bauman|first1=Michelle|title=Legal Scholar Deplores Media Confusion Over HHS Mandate|url=http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/legal-scholar-deplores-media-confusion-over-hhs-mandate|accessdate=March 10, 2015|newspaper=National Catholic Register|date=February 6, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Greenhouse|first1=Linda|title=By Any Means Necessary|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/21/opinion/linda-greenhouse-by-any-means-necessary.html|accessdate=March 10, 2015|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 20, 2014}}</ref> She was previously a [[List of law clerks of the Supreme Court of the United States|law clerk]] to [[United States Supreme Court]] Justice [[Clarence Thomas]] and to Judge [[David B. Sentelle]] of the [[United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Carrie Severino|url=http://www.judicialnetwork.com/about-jcn/carrie-severino/|publisher=Judicial Crisis Network|accessdate=March 10, 2015}}</ref> She is a contributor to ''[[National Review]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Carrie Severino|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/author/carrie-severino|publisher=National Review|accessdate=March 10, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Mears|first1=Bill|title=Analysis: Justice Thomas comments spark fresh debate on race|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/12/politics/clarence-thomas-racism/|accessdate=March 10, 2015|publisher=CNN|date=February 12, 2014}}</ref> She is married to [[Roger Severino]].
The current leader is Carrie Severino.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bauman|first1=Michelle|title=Legal Scholar Deplores Media Confusion Over HHS Mandate|url=http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/legal-scholar-deplores-media-confusion-over-hhs-mandate|accessdate=March 10, 2015|newspaper=National Catholic Register|date=February 6, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Greenhouse|first1=Linda|title=By Any Means Necessary|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/21/opinion/linda-greenhouse-by-any-means-necessary.html|accessdate=March 10, 2015|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 20, 2014}}</ref> She was previously a [[List of law clerks of the Supreme Court of the United States|law clerk]] to [[United States Supreme Court]] Justice [[Clarence Thomas]] and to Judge [[David B. Sentelle]] of the [[United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit]].<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Carrie Severino|url=http://www.judicialnetwork.com/about-jcn/carrie-severino/|url-status=dead|archive-url=|archive-date=|accessdate=March 10, 2015|website=|publisher=Judicial Crisis Network}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Williamson|first=Elizabeth|date=2020-10-15|title=With Barrett Nomination, a D.C. Conservative Power Couple Nears Its Dream|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/15/us/politics/severinos-amy-coney-barrett.html|access-date=2020-10-24|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> She is a contributor to ''[[National Review]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Carrie Severino|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/author/carrie-severino|publisher=National Review|accessdate=March 10, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Mears|first1=Bill|title=Analysis: Justice Thomas comments spark fresh debate on race|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/12/politics/clarence-thomas-racism/|accessdate=March 10, 2015|publisher=CNN|date=February 12, 2014}}</ref> She is married to [[Roger Severino]].


Severino received her [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] degree from [[Harvard Law School]], where she was a student while [[Elena Kagan]] was dean.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Totenberg|first1=Nina|title=At Harvard, Kagan Won More Fans Than Foes|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126826571|accessdate=March 10, 2015|publisher=NPR|date=May 18, 2010}}</ref> Severino has been involved with constitutional challenges to the [[Affordable Care Act]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Meinecke|first1=Elisabeth|title=ObamaCare at the Supreme Court: What to Expect|url=http://townhall.com/tipsheet/elisabethmeinecke/2012/02/07/obamacare_at_the_supreme_court_what_to_expect|accessdate=March 10, 2015|publisher=Townhall|date=February 7, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=de Vogue|first1=Ariane|title=Little-Known Legal Challenge That Could Torpedo Obamacare|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2014/04/little-known-legal-challenge-that-could-torpedo-obamacare/|accessdate=March 10, 2015|publisher=ABC News|date=April 14, 2014}}</ref>
Severino received her [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] degree from [[Harvard Law School]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Totenberg|first1=Nina|title=At Harvard, Kagan Won More Fans Than Foes|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126826571|accessdate=March 10, 2015|publisher=NPR|date=May 18, 2010}}</ref> Severino has been involved with constitutional challenges to the [[Affordable Care Act]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Meinecke|first1=Elisabeth|title=ObamaCare at the Supreme Court: What to Expect|url=http://townhall.com/tipsheet/elisabethmeinecke/2012/02/07/obamacare_at_the_supreme_court_what_to_expect|accessdate=March 10, 2015|publisher=Townhall|date=February 7, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=de Vogue|first1=Ariane|title=Little-Known Legal Challenge That Could Torpedo Obamacare|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2014/04/little-known-legal-challenge-that-could-torpedo-obamacare/|accessdate=March 10, 2015|publisher=ABC News|date=April 14, 2014}}</ref>


==Funding==
==Funding==
The leading funder of JCN is the Wellspring Committee, which is directed by Ann Corkery.<ref name=bttbtscs/> Wellspring, which does not disclose who funds it, gave close to $7 million to JCN in 2014;<ref name="trwga2">{{cite news|url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/03/right-wing-groups-gearing-up-onslaught-merrick-garland-supreme-court|title=These Right-Wing Groups Are Gearing Up for an Onslaught on Obama's Supreme Court Nominee|last1=Mencimer|first1=Stephanie|date=March 19, 2016|work=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]]|accessdate=March 29, 2016|publisher=Foundation for National Progress}}</ref> between 2012 and 2015, it reported giving JCN more than $15 million.<ref name="dark">{{Cite web|url=https://maplight.org/story/dark-money-group-received-massive-donation-in-fight-against-obamas-supreme-court-nominee/|title=Dark Money Group Received Massive Donation In Fight Against Obama's Supreme Court Nominee|last1=Sessa-Hawkins|first1=Margaret|last2=Perez|first2=Andrew|date=October 24, 2017|website=maplight.org|language=en-US|access-date=October 26, 2017}}</ref> JCN's tax return for the period July 2015 to June 2016 shows that one $17.9 million donation, whose source was not reported, accounted for 96.6 percent of the organization's revenue.<ref name="dark" />
The leading funder of JCN is the Wellspring Committee, which is directed by Ann Corkery.<ref name=bttbtscs/> Wellspring, which does not disclose who funds it, gave close to $7 million to JCN in 2014;<ref name="trwga2">{{cite news|url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/03/right-wing-groups-gearing-up-onslaught-merrick-garland-supreme-court|title=These Right-Wing Groups Are Gearing Up for an Onslaught on Obama's Supreme Court Nominee|last1=Mencimer|first1=Stephanie|date=March 19, 2016|work=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]]|accessdate=March 29, 2016|publisher=Foundation for National Progress}}</ref> between 2012 and 2015, it reported giving JCN more than $15 million.<ref name="dark">{{Cite web|url=https://maplight.org/story/dark-money-group-received-massive-donation-in-fight-against-obamas-supreme-court-nominee/|title=Dark Money Group Received Massive Donation In Fight Against Obama's Supreme Court Nominee|last1=Sessa-Hawkins|first1=Margaret|last2=Perez|first2=Andrew|date=October 24, 2017|website=maplight.org|language=en-US|access-date=October 26, 2017}}</ref> In total, the Wellspring Committee's IRS filings show that it donated more than $52,000,000 to the JCN between 2011 and 2016.<ref>https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2013/262/046/2013-262046485-0af4ca42-9O.pdf</ref><ref>https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2014/262/046/2014-262046485-0bfe7bdc-9O.pdf</ref><ref>https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2012/262/046/2012-262046485-09d23827-9O.pdf</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=NW|first=The Center for Responsive Politics 1300 L. St|last2=Washington|first2=Suite 200|last3=info|first3=DC 20005 telelphone857-0044|date=2017-11-21|title=Web of secret money hides one mega-donor funding conservative court|url=https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2017/11/web-of-secret-money-hides-one-mega-donor-funding-conservative-court/|access-date=2020-10-24|website=OpenSecrets News|language=en}}</ref> JCN's tax return for the period July 2015 to June 2016 shows that one $17.9 million donation, whose source was not reported, accounted for 96.6 percent of the organization's revenue.<ref name="dark" />


==Advocacy activities==
==Advocacy activities==
⚫
In 2013, JCN ran ads in Alaska that were critical of U.S. senator [[Mark Begich]]'s votes to approve all of president [[Barack Obama]]'s federal judicial nominees.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cole|first1=Dermot|title=Begich attack ads a sign of things to come in heated Senate race|url=http://www.adn.com/article/20131221/begich-attack-ads-sign-things-come-heated-senate-race|accessdate=March 10, 2015|work=[[Alaska Dispatch News]] |edition=online |date=December 21, 2013}}</ref> The group also ran advertisements that were critical of [[Mary Landrieu]] and [[Mark Pryor]]'s votes for president Obama's court picks.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sullivan|first1=Sean|title=Conservative group hits Landrieu with ad on judicial nominations|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/12/02/conservative-group-hits-landrieu-with-ad-on-judicial-nominations/|accessdate=March 10, 2015 |work=[[Washington Post]] |edition=online |date=December 2, 2013}}</ref> In 2014, the group ran digital advertisements critical of [[Chris Christie]]'s judicial appointments.<ref name=politico/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Camia|first1=Catalina|title=Conservatives blast Chris Christie ahead of Iowa trip|url=http://onpolitics.usatoday.com/2014/07/15/chris-christie-iowa-conservatives-judges/|accessdate=March 10, 2015|publisher=[[USA Today]] |edition=online |date=July 15, 2014}}</ref> JCN has been active in Michigan and North Carolina supreme court elections.<ref>{{cite web |title=Judicial Crisis Network |url=http://www.publicintegrity.org/2014/09/22/15685/judicial-crisis-network |publisher=[[Center for Public Integrity]] |accessdate=March 10, 2015}}</ref>


=== Political Campaigns ===
⚫
In 2013, JCN ran ads in Alaska that were critical of U.S. senator [[Mark Begich]]'s votes to approve all of president [[Barack Obama]]'s federal judicial nominees.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cole|first1=Dermot|title=Begich attack ads a sign of things to come in heated Senate race|url=http://www.adn.com/article/20131221/begich-attack-ads-sign-things-come-heated-senate-race|accessdate=March 10, 2015|work=[[Alaska Dispatch News]] |edition=online |date=December 21, 2013}}</ref> The group also ran advertisements that were critical of [[Mary Landrieu]] and [[Mark Pryor]]'s votes for president Obama's court picks.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sullivan|first1=Sean|title=Conservative group hits Landrieu with ad on judicial nominations|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/12/02/conservative-group-hits-landrieu-with-ad-on-judicial-nominations/|accessdate=March 10, 2015 |work=[[Washington Post]] |edition=online |date=December 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2016, it donated $2,765,000 to the [[Tea Party Patriots]], $1,425,000 to the [[Americans for Limited Government]], $950,000 to the [[American Conservative Union]], and $500,000 to the [[Club for Growth]]. <ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Politics)|first=Robert Maguire (Center for Responsive|title=Judicial Crisis Network 990 2016 2017|url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4463990-Judicial-Crisis-Network-990-2016-2017.html|access-date=2020-10-24|website=www.documentcloud.org|language=en}}</ref>

=== Gun Rights ===
In 2016, its IRS disclosures show that the JCN donated $1,000,000 to the [[National Rifle Association]].<ref name=":0" />

=== Abortion ===
In 2016, its IRS disclosures show that the JCN donated $330,000 to the [[National Right to Life Committee]].<ref name=":0" />

=== Death Penalty ===
In 2015, the Judicial Crisis Network donated $600,000 to Nebraskans for the Death Penalty, a group promoting reinstatement of [[capital punishment in the United States|capital punishment]] in Nebraska.<ref>{{cite web |agency=[[Associated Press]] |first=Grant |last=Schulte |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/a6fa81941bae494b8f7f773d63b68ead/nebraska-pro-death-penalty-group-submitting-signatures |title=Nebraska group touts support to stop death penalty repeal |work=The Big Story |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150828063339/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/a6fa81941bae494b8f7f773d63b68ead/nebraska-pro-death-penalty-group-submitting-signatures |archivedate=August 28, 2015 |quote=The largest donation in July came from the conservative, Washington-based Judicial Crisis Network, which gave $200,000. Nebraskans for the Death Penalty relied on a combination of paid and volunteer petition circulators, and was aided by an Arizona-based strategist who specializes in ballot campaigns.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nadc.nebraska.gov/ccdb/search.cgi?page=formb1b&IDNO=15BQC00419&OFFREC=01/17/2017&REPORT_ID=41058|title=Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission|website=www.nadc.nebraska.gov|access-date=September 7, 2018}}</ref>
In 2015, the Judicial Crisis Network donated $600,000 to Nebraskans for the Death Penalty, a group promoting reinstatement of [[capital punishment in the United States|capital punishment]] in Nebraska.<ref>{{cite web |agency=[[Associated Press]] |first=Grant |last=Schulte |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/a6fa81941bae494b8f7f773d63b68ead/nebraska-pro-death-penalty-group-submitting-signatures |title=Nebraska group touts support to stop death penalty repeal |work=The Big Story |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150828063339/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/a6fa81941bae494b8f7f773d63b68ead/nebraska-pro-death-penalty-group-submitting-signatures |archivedate=August 28, 2015 |quote=The largest donation in July came from the conservative, Washington-based Judicial Crisis Network, which gave $200,000. Nebraskans for the Death Penalty relied on a combination of paid and volunteer petition circulators, and was aided by an Arizona-based strategist who specializes in ballot campaigns.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nadc.nebraska.gov/ccdb/search.cgi?page=formb1b&IDNO=15BQC00419&OFFREC=01/17/2017&REPORT_ID=41058|title=Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission|website=www.nadc.nebraska.gov|access-date=September 7, 2018}}</ref>


=== Religious Groups ===
⚫
In 2016, the JCN ran a negative advertisement about [[Jane L. Kelly]], a federal appeals judge from Iowa who was on a White House list of possible nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Overby |first1=Peter |title=Conservatives Lobby Around Supreme Court Nomination |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/03/17/470776627/conservatives-lobby-around-supreme-court-nomination|accessdate=March 24, 2016 |publisher=[[National Public Radio]] |date=March 17, 2016}}</ref>
In 2016, it donated $100,000 to Catholic Vote Civic Action.<ref name=":0" />


=== Judicial Appointments and Election of Judges ===
==== Supreme Court Nominations ====
A key premise underlying the JCN's Supreme Court campaigns was articulated by [[Leonard Leo]] in his remarks to the [[Council for National Policy]]: “We’re going to have to understand that judicial confirmations these days are more like political campaigns."<ref name=":2" />

===== Campaign against Merrick Garland =====
Also in 2016, the JCN bought advertisements across the country to oppose president Obama's supreme court nominee, chief judge of the [[United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit]] [[Merrick Garland]].<ref name=bttbtscs/> In November 2016, after [[Donald Trump]] was elected president of the United States, JCN ran television advertisements praising senate judiciary chairman [[Chuck Grassley]] for holding the line against Garland.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Everett|first1=Burgess|title=Judicial Crisis Network already running ads ahead of Trump SCOTUS pick|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/donald-trump-supreme-court-air-wars-231583|accessdate=November 29, 2016|publisher=[[Politico]]|date=November 18, 2016}}</ref> The group also spent over $500,000 on advertisements thanking Trump for his campaign promises regarding the types of justices he would select for the nation's high court. JCN's advertisements asked viewers to thank Trump for pledging to nominate conservative jurists in the mold of [[Antonin Scalia]] to the Supreme Court.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lovelace|first1=Ryan|title=Group launches $500K ad campaign praising Trump's SCOTUS pledge|url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/group-launches-500k-ad-campaign-praising-trumps-scotus-pledge/article/2608264|accessdate=November 29, 2016|work=[[Washington Examiner]]|edition=online|date=November 28, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=DeBonis|first1=Mike|title=The fight to confirm Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee starts now|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/11/25/the-fight-to-confirm-donald-trumps-supreme-court-nominee-starts-now/|accessdate=November 29, 2016|work=[[Washington Post]]|edition=online|date=November 25, 2016}}</ref>
Also in 2016, the JCN bought advertisements across the country to oppose president Obama's supreme court nominee, chief judge of the [[United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit]] [[Merrick Garland]].<ref name=bttbtscs/> In November 2016, after [[Donald Trump]] was elected president of the United States, JCN ran television advertisements praising senate judiciary chairman [[Chuck Grassley]] for holding the line against Garland.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Everett|first1=Burgess|title=Judicial Crisis Network already running ads ahead of Trump SCOTUS pick|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/donald-trump-supreme-court-air-wars-231583|accessdate=November 29, 2016|publisher=[[Politico]]|date=November 18, 2016}}</ref> The group also spent over $500,000 on advertisements thanking Trump for his campaign promises regarding the types of justices he would select for the nation's high court. JCN's advertisements asked viewers to thank Trump for pledging to nominate conservative jurists in the mold of [[Antonin Scalia]] to the Supreme Court.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lovelace|first1=Ryan|title=Group launches $500K ad campaign praising Trump's SCOTUS pledge|url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/group-launches-500k-ad-campaign-praising-trumps-scotus-pledge/article/2608264|accessdate=November 29, 2016|work=[[Washington Examiner]]|edition=online|date=November 28, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=DeBonis|first1=Mike|title=The fight to confirm Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee starts now|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/11/25/the-fight-to-confirm-donald-trumps-supreme-court-nominee-starts-now/|accessdate=November 29, 2016|work=[[Washington Post]]|edition=online|date=November 25, 2016}}</ref>


===== Campaign for Neil Gorsuch =====
On January 31, 2017, the Judicial Crisis Network committed to spending $10 million on advocacy ads in favor of president [[Donald Trump]]'s first [[Supreme Court of the United States]] nominee, [[Neil Gorsuch]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Weber|first1=Joseph|title=Conservative group launches $10M campaign to support Trump's Supreme Court pick|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/01/31/conservative-group-launches-10m-campaign-to-support-trumps-supreme-court-pick.html|accessdate=February 14, 2017|work=[[FoxNews.com]]|date=January 31, 2017}}</ref>
On January 31, 2017, the Judicial Crisis Network committed to spending $10 million on advocacy ads in favor of president [[Donald Trump]]'s first [[Supreme Court of the United States]] nominee, [[Neil Gorsuch]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Weber|first1=Joseph|title=Conservative group launches $10M campaign to support Trump's Supreme Court pick|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/01/31/conservative-group-launches-10m-campaign-to-support-trumps-supreme-court-pick.html|accessdate=February 14, 2017|work=[[FoxNews.com]]|date=January 31, 2017}}</ref> The JCN lobbying blitz focused in particular on Indiana, Missouri, Montana, and North Dakota, all of which were battleground states in the 2018 Senate Elections.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Everett|first=Burgess|title=Conservatives plan $10 million high court ad campaign|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/supreme-court-trump-schumer-conservatives-233315|access-date=2020-10-26|website=POLITICO|language=en}}</ref>


===== Campaign for Brett Kavanaugh =====
The Judicial Crisis Network spent $4.5 million in ad buys supportive of the confirmation of [[Brett Kavanaugh]] to the U.S. Supreme Court.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/398344-judicial-group-launches-third-ad-buy-to-push-kavanaugh-confirmation|title=Judicial group launches third ad buy to push Kavanaugh confirmation|last=Balluck|first=Kyle|date=July 23, 2018|work=TheHill|access-date=August 2, 2018|language=en}}</ref> In 2019, the watchdog group [[Campaign for Accountability]] accused JCN of sending illegal [[robotext]]s to Indiana residents about the Supreme Court nomination of [[Brett Kavanaugh]].<ref>https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/464887-watchdog-accuses-pro-kavanaugh-group-of-illegal-robotexts-in-fcc</ref>
The Judicial Crisis Network spent $4.5 million in ad buys supportive of the confirmation of [[Brett Kavanaugh]] to the U.S. Supreme Court.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/398344-judicial-group-launches-third-ad-buy-to-push-kavanaugh-confirmation|title=Judicial group launches third ad buy to push Kavanaugh confirmation|last=Balluck|first=Kyle|date=July 23, 2018|work=TheHill|access-date=August 2, 2018|language=en}}</ref> In 2019, the watchdog group [[Campaign for Accountability]] accused JCN of sending illegal [[robotext]]s to Indiana residents about the Supreme Court nomination of [[Brett Kavanaugh]].<ref>https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/464887-watchdog-accuses-pro-kavanaugh-group-of-illegal-robotexts-in-fcc</ref>


===== Campaign to fill seat before 2020 Election and for Amy Coney Barrett =====
In September 2020, after the death of Supreme Court Justice [[Ruth Bader Ginsburg]], JCN launched a $2.2 million campaign to support President Trump's right to appoint a judge prior to the November 2020 presidential election.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Judicial Crisis Network will spend $2.2 million to boost Trump's court pick|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/judicial-crisis-network-will-spend-2-2-million-to-boost-trump-s-court-pick/ar-BB19gWzA|access-date=2020-09-23|website=www.msn.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mineiro|first=Megan|date=2020-09-22|title=Democrats Condemn Big-Money Campaigns Backing Judicial Nominations|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/democrats-condemn-big-money-campaigns-backing-judicial-nominations/|access-date=2020-09-23|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-21|title=Judicial Crisis Network launches $2.2M ad buy backing Trump Supreme Court pick|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/judicial-crisis-network-launches-2-2m-ad-buy-backing-trump-supreme-court-pick|access-date=2020-09-23|website=Washington Examiner|language=en}}</ref>
In September 2020, after the death of Supreme Court Justice [[Ruth Bader Ginsburg]], JCN launched a $2.2 million campaign to support President Trump's right to appoint a judge prior to the November 2020 presidential election, a move with no historical precedent.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Judicial Crisis Network will spend $2.2 million to boost Trump's court pick|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/judicial-crisis-network-will-spend-2-2-million-to-boost-trump-s-court-pick/ar-BB19gWzA|access-date=2020-09-23|website=www.msn.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mineiro|first=Megan|date=2020-09-22|title=Democrats Condemn Big-Money Campaigns Backing Judicial Nominations|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/democrats-condemn-big-money-campaigns-backing-judicial-nominations/|access-date=2020-09-23|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-21|title=Judicial Crisis Network launches $2.2M ad buy backing Trump Supreme Court pick|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/judicial-crisis-network-launches-2-2m-ad-buy-backing-trump-supreme-court-pick|access-date=2020-09-23|website=Washington Examiner|language=en}}</ref>

The Judicial Crisis has spent at least $6.3 on national television advertisements supporting the Republican effort to confirm President Donald Trump’s nominee a week before the election. As of October 26, the group spent an additional $2.9 million on digital ads, direct mail and text messages supporting Barrett.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Biesecker|first=Michael|last2=Slodysko|first2=Brian|last3=Press|first3=Associated|date=2020-10-26|title=Barrett ads tied to interest groups funded by unnamed donors|url=https://www.newmilfordspectrum.com/news/article/Barrett-ads-tied-to-interest-groups-funded-by-15675667.php|access-date=2020-10-26|website=New Milford Spectrum|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-26|title=Barrett ads tied to interest groups funded by unnamed donors|url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-amy-coney-barrett-elections-us-supreme-court-courts-800810431929326355c9ef0a78bfee40|access-date=2020-10-26|website=AP NEWS}}</ref>

==== State Supreme Court Elections ====
In 2012, JCN spent between $600,000 and $1 million on an ad alleging that law professor [[Bridget Mary McCormack|Bridget McCormack]], a candidate for the [[Michigan Supreme Court|Supreme Court of Michigan]], “volunteered to free a terrorist."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Conservative Group Behind Kavanaugh Confirmation Has Spent Years Reshaping State and Federal Benches {{!}} Brennan Center for Justice|url=https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/conservative-group-behind-kavanaugh-confirmation-has-spent-years|access-date=2020-10-25|website=www.brennancenter.org|language=en}}</ref>

In 2013 and 14, the Judicial Crisis Network bankrolled organizations that ran campaigns for candidates in the [[Wisconsin Supreme Court]] and the [[Tennessee Supreme Court]]. More than $500,000 of this money was used to support [[Patience D. Roggensack|Patience Roggensack]]’s successful reelection campaign in Wisconsin.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Conservative Group Behind Kavanaugh Confirmation Has Spent Years Reshaping State and Federal Benches {{!}} Brennan Center for Justice|url=https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/conservative-group-behind-kavanaugh-confirmation-has-spent-years|access-date=2020-10-25|website=www.brennancenter.org|language=en}}</ref>

In 2015-16, the Judicial Crisis Network contributed nearly $2 million to conservative groups involved in state supreme court elections for seats on the [[North Carolina Supreme Court]], the [[Wisconsin Supreme Court]], the [[Supreme Court of Ohio|Ohio Supreme Court]], the [[West Virginia Supreme Court]], and the [[Supreme Court of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania Supreme Court]]. The Judicial Crisis Network also spent more $500,000 to block Justice [[Courtney Rae Hudson|Courtney Goodson]]’s bid for Chief Justice of the [[Arkansas Supreme Court]], which they accomplished.<ref name=":1" />

==== Other Judicial Campaigns ====
In 2014, the group ran digital advertisements critical of [[Chris Christie]]'s judicial appointments.<ref name="politico" /><ref>{{cite news|last1=Camia|first1=Catalina|date=July 15, 2014|title=Conservatives blast Chris Christie ahead of Iowa trip|edition=online|publisher=[[USA Today]]|url=http://onpolitics.usatoday.com/2014/07/15/chris-christie-iowa-conservatives-judges/|accessdate=March 10, 2015}}</ref> JCN has been active in North Carolina supreme court elections.<ref>{{cite web|title=Judicial Crisis Network|url=http://www.publicintegrity.org/2014/09/22/15685/judicial-crisis-network|accessdate=March 10, 2015|publisher=[[Center for Public Integrity]]}}</ref>

⚫
In 2016, the JCN ran a negative advertisement about [[Jane L. Kelly]], a federal appeals judge from Iowa who was on a White House list of possible nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Overby|first1=Peter|date=March 17, 2016|title=Conservatives Lobby Around Supreme Court Nomination|publisher=[[National Public Radio]]|url=https://www.npr.org/2016/03/17/470776627/conservatives-lobby-around-supreme-court-nomination|accessdate=March 24, 2016}}</ref>
=== Relationships with the Republican Party ===

==== Republican Attorneys General Association ====
Between 2013 and 2016, it donated $2,100,000 to the Republican Attorneys General Association. In 2017, it donated $2,900,000 million to the RAGA.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Republican Attorneys General Assn: Donor Search {{!}} OpenSecrets|url=https://www.opensecrets.org/527s/527cmtedetail_donors.php?url=527cmtedetail_donors.php?cycle=2018&ein=464501717&cname=judicial+crisis+network&ein=464501717&cycle=2018|access-date=2020-10-26|website=www.opensecrets.org}}</ref> In 2018, it donated $5,900,000 to the RAGA, making it far and away the largest donor to the RAGA.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Republican Attorneys General Assn: Top Contributors, 2018 Cycle {{!}} OpenSecrets|url=https://www.opensecrets.org/527s/527cmtedetail_contribs.php?ein=464501717&cycle=2018|access-date=2020-10-26|website=www.opensecrets.org}}</ref>

==== Other Elements of the Republican Party ====
In 2016, it donated $200,000 to the [[Republican Governors Association]].

Between 2012 and 2016, it donated $665,000 to the [[Republican State Leadership Committee|Republican State Leadership]].<ref name=":0" />

== Activities Related to Voter Suppression/Voter Fraud ==
The Honest Election Project, a legal alias for the Judicial Education Project, has filed court briefs "in favor of voting restrictions" in [[Nevada]], [[Virginia]], [[Texas]], [[Wisconsin]] and [[Minnesota]], among other places.<ref name=":3" /> The Honest Election Project has expressed the view that [[voter suppression]] is a “myth”<ref name=":3" />. As The Guardian notes, "By having a hand in both voting litigation and the judges on the federal bench, this network could create a system where conservative donors have an avenue to both oppose voting rights and appoint judges to back that effort."<ref name=":3" /> According to the Guardian, the Honest Elections Project is "backed by a dark money group funded by rightwing stalwarts like the [[Koch family|Koch brothers]] and [[Betsy DeVos]]’ family."<ref name=":3" /> The Honest Elections Project announced it would spend a minimum of $250,000 in advertisements in April 2020 to warn against voting by mail to accuse Democrats of cheating.<ref name=":3" />

== Other payments ==
Between 2016 and 2018, the Judicial Crisis Network paid more than $1.2 million to the BH Group.<ref>{{Cite web|last=NW|first=The Center for Responsive Politics 1300 L. St|last2=Washington|first2=Suite 200|last3=info|first3=DC 20005 telelphone857-0044|date=2019-05-17|title=Secretive conservative legal group funded by $17 million mystery donor before Kavanaugh fight|url=https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2019/05/dark-money-group-funded-by-17million-mystery-donor-before-kavanaugh/|access-date=2020-10-25|website=OpenSecrets News|language=en}}</ref> The BH Group, a Virginia-based [[Limited liability company|LLC]], is the employer of Leonard Leo.<ref>{{Cite web|title=$80 million dark money group tied to Trump Supreme Court advisor, Leonard Leo|url=https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-investigations/80-million-dark-money-group-tied-to-trump-supreme-court-advisor-leonard-leo/|access-date=2020-10-25|website=CREW {{!}} Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington|language=en-US}}</ref>


Between 2016 and 2018, its sister entity, the Judicial Education Project, contributed nearly $2 million to [[George Mason University]] Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=IRS 990 JEP 2016|url=https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2016/202/466/2016-202466871-0e90afae-9.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=IRS 990 JEP 2017|url=https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2017/202/466/2017-202466871-102c9bf0-9.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=IRS 990 JEP 2018|url=https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2018/202/466/2018-202466871-17152799-9.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}</ref>
The [[Judicial Education Project]] is closely aligned with the JCN.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/27/honest-elections-project-conservative-voting-restrictions|title=Revealed: conservative group fighting to restrict voting tied to powerful dark money network|first1=Sam|last1=Levine|first2=Anna|last2=Massoglia|date=May 27, 2020|accessdate=June 15, 2020|via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 21:15, 31 October 2020

Judicial Crisis Network
SuccessorThe 85 Fund; Concord Fund
Formation2020 (2020)
Type501(c)(4)
Location
LeaderCarrie Severino
Gary Marx, Daniel Casey
Expenses$37,177,415 (with JEP) (2016)
Websitewww.judicialnetwork.com Edit this at Wikidata
Formerly called
Judicial Confirmation Network

The Judicial Crisis Network (JCN), formerly known as Judicial Confirmation Network (since December 2019 legally known as the Concord Fund) is a Washington, D.C.-based tax-exempt charity that serves as the hub of a well-funded politically conservative "dark money" network.[1][2] It was founded in 2005 by the right-wing activist and fundraiser Ann Corkery and is closely associated with Leonard Leo.[3][4] The current President is Carrie Severino, a former law clerk for Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas.[5] The organization describes itself as "dedicated to strengthening liberty and justice in America"[6] and supports conservative appointments to American judicial posts. The Judicial Education Project, now called The 85 Fund, is closely aligned with the JCN.[7][8][9]

Background

The organization was founded in 2005 to promote the judicial appointees of then president George W. Bush.[10] Fundraiser and lawyer Ann Corkery, along with California real estate magnate Robin Arkley II, were key to the beginning of the organization.[11] The JCN is closely affiliated with Leonard Leo.[12]

The current leader is Carrie Severino.[13][14] She was previously a law clerk to United States Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and to Judge David B. Sentelle of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.[15][16] She is a contributor to National Review.[17][18] She is married to Roger Severino.

Severino received her J.D. degree from Harvard Law School.[19] Severino has been involved with constitutional challenges to the Affordable Care Act.[20][21]

Funding

The leading funder of JCN is the Wellspring Committee, which is directed by Ann Corkery.[10] Wellspring, which does not disclose who funds it, gave close to $7 million to JCN in 2014;[22] between 2012 and 2015, it reported giving JCN more than $15 million.[23] In total, the Wellspring Committee's IRS filings show that it donated more than $52,000,000 to the JCN between 2011 and 2016.[24][25][26][27][28] JCN's tax return for the period July 2015 to June 2016 shows that one $17.9 million donation, whose source was not reported, accounted for 96.6 percent of the organization's revenue.[23]

Advocacy activities

Political Campaigns

In 2013, JCN ran ads in Alaska that were critical of U.S. senator Mark Begich's votes to approve all of president Barack Obama's federal judicial nominees.[29] The group also ran advertisements that were critical of Mary Landrieu and Mark Pryor's votes for president Obama's court picks.[30]

In 2016, it donated $2,765,000 to the Tea Party Patriots, $1,425,000 to the Americans for Limited Government, $950,000 to the American Conservative Union, and $500,000 to the Club for Growth. [27]

Gun Rights

In 2016, its IRS disclosures show that the JCN donated $1,000,000 to the National Rifle Association.[27]

Abortion

In 2016, its IRS disclosures show that the JCN donated $330,000 to the National Right to Life Committee.[27]

Death Penalty

In 2015, the Judicial Crisis Network donated $600,000 to Nebraskans for the Death Penalty, a group promoting reinstatement of capital punishment in Nebraska.[31][32]

Religious Groups

In 2016, it donated $100,000 to Catholic Vote Civic Action.[27]

Judicial Appointments and Election of Judges

Supreme Court Nominations

A key premise underlying the JCN's Supreme Court campaigns was articulated by Leonard Leo in his remarks to the Council for National Policy: “We’re going to have to understand that judicial confirmations these days are more like political campaigns."[4]

Campaign against Merrick Garland

Also in 2016, the JCN bought advertisements across the country to oppose president Obama's supreme court nominee, chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Merrick Garland.[10] In November 2016, after Donald Trump was elected president of the United States, JCN ran television advertisements praising senate judiciary chairman Chuck Grassley for holding the line against Garland.[33] The group also spent over $500,000 on advertisements thanking Trump for his campaign promises regarding the types of justices he would select for the nation's high court. JCN's advertisements asked viewers to thank Trump for pledging to nominate conservative jurists in the mold of Antonin Scalia to the Supreme Court.[34][35]

Campaign for Neil Gorsuch

On January 31, 2017, the Judicial Crisis Network committed to spending $10 million on advocacy ads in favor of president Donald Trump's first Supreme Court of the United States nominee, Neil Gorsuch.[36] The JCN lobbying blitz focused in particular on Indiana, Missouri, Montana, and North Dakota, all of which were battleground states in the 2018 Senate Elections.[37]

Campaign for Brett Kavanaugh

The Judicial Crisis Network spent $4.5 million in ad buys supportive of the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.[38] In 2019, the watchdog group Campaign for Accountability accused JCN of sending illegal robotexts to Indiana residents about the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh.[39]

Campaign to fill seat before 2020 Election and for Amy Coney Barrett

In September 2020, after the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, JCN launched a $2.2 million campaign to support President Trump's right to appoint a judge prior to the November 2020 presidential election, a move with no historical precedent.[40][41][42]

The Judicial Crisis has spent at least $6.3 on national television advertisements supporting the Republican effort to confirm President Donald Trump’s nominee a week before the election. As of October 26, the group spent an additional $2.9 million on digital ads, direct mail and text messages supporting Barrett.[43][44]

State Supreme Court Elections

In 2012, JCN spent between $600,000 and $1 million on an ad alleging that law professor Bridget McCormack, a candidate for the Supreme Court of Michigan, “volunteered to free a terrorist."[45]

In 2013 and 14, the Judicial Crisis Network bankrolled organizations that ran campaigns for candidates in the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Tennessee Supreme Court. More than $500,000 of this money was used to support Patience Roggensack’s successful reelection campaign in Wisconsin.[46]

In 2015-16, the Judicial Crisis Network contributed nearly $2 million to conservative groups involved in state supreme court elections for seats on the North Carolina Supreme Court, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the Ohio Supreme Court, the West Virginia Supreme Court, and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The Judicial Crisis Network also spent more $500,000 to block Justice Courtney Goodson’s bid for Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, which they accomplished.[45]

Other Judicial Campaigns

In 2014, the group ran digital advertisements critical of Chris Christie's judicial appointments.[5][47] JCN has been active in North Carolina supreme court elections.[48]

In 2016, the JCN ran a negative advertisement about Jane L. Kelly, a federal appeals judge from Iowa who was on a White House list of possible nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court.[49]

Relationships with the Republican Party

Republican Attorneys General Association

Between 2013 and 2016, it donated $2,100,000 to the Republican Attorneys General Association. In 2017, it donated $2,900,000 million to the RAGA.[50] In 2018, it donated $5,900,000 to the RAGA, making it far and away the largest donor to the RAGA.[51]

Other Elements of the Republican Party

In 2016, it donated $200,000 to the Republican Governors Association.

Between 2012 and 2016, it donated $665,000 to the Republican State Leadership.[27]

The Honest Election Project, a legal alias for the Judicial Education Project, has filed court briefs "in favor of voting restrictions" in Nevada, Virginia, Texas, Wisconsin and Minnesota, among other places.[7] The Honest Election Project has expressed the view that voter suppression is a “myth”[7]. As The Guardian notes, "By having a hand in both voting litigation and the judges on the federal bench, this network could create a system where conservative donors have an avenue to both oppose voting rights and appoint judges to back that effort."[7] According to the Guardian, the Honest Elections Project is "backed by a dark money group funded by rightwing stalwarts like the Koch brothers and Betsy DeVos’ family."[7] The Honest Elections Project announced it would spend a minimum of $250,000 in advertisements in April 2020 to warn against voting by mail to accuse Democrats of cheating.[7]

Other payments

Between 2016 and 2018, the Judicial Crisis Network paid more than $1.2 million to the BH Group.[52] The BH Group, a Virginia-based LLC, is the employer of Leonard Leo.[53]

Between 2016 and 2018, its sister entity, the Judicial Education Project, contributed nearly $2 million to George Mason University Foundation.[54][55][56]

References

  1. ^ NW, The Center for Responsive Politics 1300 L. St; Washington, Suite 200; info, DC 20005 telelphone857-0044 (May 27, 2020). "Conservative 'dark money' network rebranded to push voting restrictions before 2020 election". OpenSecrets News. Retrieved October 24, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Treene, Jonathan Swan,Alayna. "Leonard Leo to shape new conservative network, step aside from the Federalist Society". Axios. Retrieved October 24, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ NW, The Center for Responsive Politics 1300 L. St; Washington, Suite 200; info, DC 20005 telelphone857-0044 (March 23, 2015). "The JCN Story: Building a Secretive GOP Judicial Machine". OpenSecrets News. Retrieved October 26, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ a b O'Harrow Jr., Robert; Boburg Shawn (May 21, 2019). "A Conservative Activist's Behind-The-Scenes Campaign to Remake the Nation's Courts". The Washington Post.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ a b Haberman, Maggie (July 15, 2014). "Conservative judicial group to hammer Chris Christie". Politico. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  6. ^ "About the Judicial Crisis Network". Judicial Crisis Network. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Levine, Sam; Massoglia, Anna (May 27, 2020). "Revealed: conservative group fighting to restrict voting tied to powerful dark money network". Retrieved June 15, 2020 – via www.theguardian.com.
  8. ^ NW, The Center for Responsive Politics 1300 L. St; Washington, Suite 200; info, DC 20005 telelphone857-0044 (May 27, 2020). "Conservative 'dark money' network rebranded to push voting restrictions before 2020 election". OpenSecrets News. Retrieved October 24, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ Treene, Jonathan Swan,Alayna. "Leonard Leo to shape new conservative network, step aside from the Federalist Society". Axios. Retrieved October 24, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ a b c Michaelson, Jay (March 29, 2016). "Billionaires Try to Buy the Supreme Court". The Daily Beast. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  11. ^ Novak, Viveca; Stone, Peter (March 23, 2015). "The JCN Story: Building a Secretive GOP Judicial Machine". OpenSecrets.org. Center for Responsive Politics. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  12. ^ Michaelson, Jay (July 9, 2018). "The Secretive Puppetmaster Behind Trump's Supreme Court Pick". The Daily Beast. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  13. ^ Bauman, Michelle (February 6, 2013). "Legal Scholar Deplores Media Confusion Over HHS Mandate". National Catholic Register. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  14. ^ Greenhouse, Linda (August 20, 2014). "By Any Means Necessary". The New York Times. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  15. ^ "Carrie Severino". Judicial Crisis Network. Retrieved March 10, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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